Butte jobless rate drops slightly

CHICO >> The unemployment rate for Butte County dropped slightly in February, according to information released Friday.

The Butte County preliminary rate was 10 percent in February, down from 10.1 percent in January, according to the state Employment Development Department.

That slight drop meant there were about 100 less people looking for a job.

The state said there where more than 10,400 people in Butte County hunting for employment in February.

Labor market analyst Heather Chamizo said the data looks good for Butte County.

"A year ago, Butte County was at 11.3 percent in February."

Chamizo also noted that the ratio of employed to unemployed has improved. In a year over comparison, there are more residents working, from 91,500 in February 2013, compared to 94,100 now. Most of the year-over job growth occurred in professional and business services, and educational and health services, the statistics showed.

Also there are fewer people without jobs, from 11,700 in February 2013 compared to 10,400 now without work, she noted.

The statewide unemployment rate also dropped from January to February, to 8.0 percent from 8.1 percent.

The February jobless rate in Glenn County dropped from 13.0 percent in January 12.8 percent. The rate increased over the same period in Tehama County from 11.3 percent to 11.5 percent.

Data for January and February were released in March. Employment information is benchmarked in January, and with February being short, both months are released in March.